Electromagnetic pump



g- 29, 1967 H. J. SHOPSKY 3,339,094

ELECTROMAGNETIC PUMP Filed Aug. 26, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. HARVEY J. HOPSKY HIS ATTORNEYS 8- 1967 H. .1. SHOPSKY ELECTROMAGNETIC PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 26, 1964 l MMM -M INVENTOR. HARVEY J. SHOPSKY M i M HIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,339,094 ELECTROMAGNETIC PUMP Harvey J. Shopsky, Latrobe, Pa., assignor to Robertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 392,194 6 Claims. (Cl. 310-18) This invention relates to an improved electromagnetic device and parts therefor as well as to an improved method of making and operating the same.

It is well known that an electromagnetic device is adapted to oscillate an armature relative to the core of the electromagnetic motor to drive a driven member, such as a fluid pumporthe like.

However, it has been found that when the armature is mounted on the leaf spring, the same moves in a substantially curvilinear path whereas such 'arcuate moveintent of the armature tends to adversely affect the flexible diaphragm of the fluid pump if the movable part of the fluid pump also moves in a curvilinear path.

According to the teachings of this invention, however, improved means are provided for interconnecting the armature of such an electromagnetic device to the movable part of the fluid pump or the like so that even though the armature moves in a curvilinear path, the movable part of the fluid pump or the like moves in a substantially rectilinear path to reduce the adverse effect on the flexible diaphragm of the fluid pump or the like whereby the diaphragm has maximum life. In addition, the connection between the armature and driven member of this invention provides no mechanical backlash and is substantially wear free. This connection of this invention also provides a means of adjustment to vary the length of the drive for optimum pump performance.

In addition, the means of this invention for interconnecting the armature to the moving part of the fluid pump or the like provides a means of securing a muffler on the outlet housing of the pump.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a low cost method of supporting a small vibratory electromagnetic device or the like in such a manner'that the supporting means isolates or prevents vibratory motor energy being transmitted to its supports by having the energy dampened by coils of a spring suspension system. This support means of this invention also provides a method of support for the electromagnetic device so that the same will withstand normal shipping shock forces without the use of special shipping securement fasteners, the spring support also providing a non-combustible support for the electromagnetic device that will not disintegrate and allow the electrical connections of the vibratory motor to come in contact with grounded metal parts. I

In addition, the spring support of this invention provides a self-adjusting method of support for the electromagnetic device that does not require the use of fasteners when mounting the unit to the appliance or point of application.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a low cost means of securement, both temporary and permanent, of the coil subassembly to the motor frame by the coil bobbin configuration, frame configuration, and adhesive interlock therebetween.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved electromagnetic device having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object'of this invention is to provide improved parts for such an electromagnetic device or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of operating such an electromagnetic device or the like. I

. receiving a lock member Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of making such an electromagnetic device or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of mounting such an electromagnetic device or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading ofthis description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an axial cross-sectional view illustrating the improved electromagnetic device of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating certain parts of the electromagnetic device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating part of the motor frame of the electromagnetic device of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the coil and bobbin assembly taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step in the method of assembling the coil to the motor of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 and illustrates another step in the method of this invention.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adapted for forming an electromagnetic device that drives a fluid pump or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide other devices as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the Wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURES 1-3, the improved electromagnetic device of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a substantially C-shaped frame member 11 having an armature 12 mounted to one end 13 thereof by a leaf spring member 14 and having an electromagnetic motor 15 at the other end 16 thereof, the electromagnetic motor 15 including an electrical coil 17 mounted on a bobbin 18 telescoped on the end 16 of the frame 11 whereby the end 16 of the frame 11 provides the core for the electromagnetic motor 15.

The armature 12 is normally held in the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 by the natural resiliency of the leaf spring 14. However, when an impulse is directed through the coil 17 of the motor 15, the armature 12 is moved to the left in FIGURE 1 into substantial alignment with the core 16. Thereafter, the armature moves back to the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 by the natural resiliency of the leaf spring 14 whereby it can be seen that as current is supplied to the coil 17 in a cyclic manner, the armature 12 oscillates back and forth in a path transverse to the axis of the core 16.

This oscillating movement of the armature 12 causes the armature 12 to move in a substantially curvilinear path because of the cantilevered arrangement of the leaf spring 14 on the end 13 of the motor frame 11.

The oscillating movement of the armature 12 in the above manner is utilized to drive a fluid pump 19 in a manner hereinafter described. 3

The fluid pump 19 comprises a fixed housing member 20 having a projection 21 passing through an opening 22 in the frame 11 between the ends 16 and 13 thereof, the projection 21 having a threaded portion threadedly 23 which holdsa shoulder 24 3 of the housing 20 against the inside surface of the frame member 11.

A flexible diaphragm 25 has an outer peripheral flange 26 snap-fitted over an outer peripheral flange 27 of the housing member 20, the flexible diaphragm 25 having an inner periphery 28 thereof staked to a movable housing 29 whereby the diaphragm 25 cooperates with the housing members 20 and 29 to define a chamber 30 therebetween.

The fixed housing 20 has a passage 31 therein which is interconnected to the chamber 30, the passage 31 being opened and closed by a valve member 32 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The movable housing 29 has a passage 33 interconnected to the chamber 30 and is opened and closed by a valve member 34.

Thus, when the armature 12 is moved to the left from the position illustrated in FIGURE 1, the armature 12, in a manner hereinafter described, causes the housing member 29 to also move to the left and decrease the size of the chamber 30. When the housing member 29 moves toward the housing member 20, the valve member 32 closes the passage 31 and the valve member 34 opens the passage 33 whereby the fluid in the decreasing chamber 30 escapes out through the open valve member 34. Conversely, when the housing member 29 moves away from the housing member 20 because the armature 12 is moving back to the right, the valve member 34 closes the passage 33 while the valve member 32 opens the passage 31 so the fluid can be drawn into the increasing chamber 30.

In this manner, movement of the housing member 29 toward and away from the housing member 20 causes a pumping action to evacuate a pneumatic device interconnected to the passage 31 of the fluid pump 19.

The particular details interconnecting the armature 12 to the movable housing 29 of the fluid pump 19 will now be described.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3, the armature 12 comprises a plate-like member and is secured to one end 35 of the leaf spring 14 by rivet-like members 36, the rivet-like members 36 securing a plate-like member 37 against the side 38 of the spring 14. The member 37 has a beveled end 39 directed toward the end 13 of the frame member 11.

The other end 40 of the spring-like member 14 is secured against the side 41 of the end 13 of the frame member 11 by threaded fastening members 42, the threaded fastening members 42 securing a plate-like member 43 against the side 44 of the spring 14. The plate-like member 43 has a beveled end 45 directed toward the armature 12.

In this manner, the armature 12 is adapted to move in a curvilinear path relative to the core 16 of the motor 15 in the manner previously described whereby the flexing of the spring-like member 14 is permitted by the beveled ends 39 and 45 of the members 37 and 43. In addition, the end 13 of the motor frame 11 has a beveled portion 46 to permit the flexure of the spring member 13.

The armature 12 has a recess 47 cut in the side 48 thereof and being interconnected to the other side 49 by a threaded bore 50, the threaded bore 50 receiving a threaded adjusting member 51 having an annular groove 52. The position of the adjusting member 50 relative to the armature 12 is controlled by the threaded relation between the adjusting member 51 in the bore 50 of the armature 12, the adjusting member 51 being adapted to be locked in an adjusted position thereof by a threaded lock.- ing member 53. Y

A coiled metallic tension spring 54 is provided and is adapted to have one end ,55 thereof received in the groove 52 of the adjusting member 51 to secure the spring 54 thereto.

The other end 56 of the spring 54 is adapted to be received in an annular groove 57 of a retainer 58, the retainer 58 including a threaded, portion 59 and an an-.

nular flange portion 60 having a plurality of notches 61 in the outer periphery thereof.

The annular flange 60 of the retainer 58 is adapted to be staked to the housing member 29 to cooperate therewith to define a chamber 62 on the right side of the valve member 34 whereby the fluid flowing from the passage 33 through the open valve member 34 is received in the chamber 62 and passes out of the same through the notches 61 in the retainer 54.

In order to muflie the noise of the escaping fluid from the housing 29, a porous flexible member 63 is disposed against the flange 60 of the retainer 58 and is held thereto by another retainer 65 disposed between the retainer 58 and the end 56 of the spring 54.

Thus, it can be seen that not only does the spring 54 interconnect the armature 12 to the housing 29 so that movement of the armature 12 causes like movement of the housing 29, but also the spring 24 holds the muffler 63 in the proper position relative to the outlet notches 61 to muffle the noise of the escaping fluid therethrough.

In addition, the spring 54 permits the housing member 29 to move in a substantially rectilinear path while the armature 12 is moving in a curvilinear path to reduce and substantially eliminate any adverse forces which would be imposed on the flexible diaphragm 25 should the huosing member 29 also move in a curvilinear path.

In order to adjust the position of the housing member 29 relative to the armature 12, the lock member 53 can be loosened and the adjusting member 51 can be adjusted relative to the armature 12 to reposition the housing member 29 relative to the armature 12.

Thus, it can be seen that the tension spring 54 provides a low cost flexible connection between the armature 12 and the fluid pump 19 in order to permit a reasonable rectilinear movement of the pump outlet housing 29 to provide maximum life for the diaphragm 25 even though the armature 12 is moving in a substantially curvilinear path.

In addition, the interconnection between the armature and the pump housing 29 provides no mechanical backlash between the same and is substantially wear free. This connection also provides a means for adjustment to vary the length of the drive for the pump 19 to obtain optimum pump performance.

In addition, the interconnection between the armature 12 and pump housing 29 of this invention provides a means to retain the muffler 63 on the outlet housing 29.

In order to properly mount the electromagnetic device 10 of this invention to the frame means of a suitable appliance utilizing the electromagnetic device 10, some means must be provided to prevent vibratory motor energy from the electromagnetic device 10 being transmitted to the supporting means carrying the device 10.

Accordingly, improved suspension means are provided by this invention and reference is made to FIGURES 1 and 2 wherein it can be seen that the electromagnetic device 10 is mounted between a pair of frame members 66 and 67 by a pair of tension springs 68, each tension spring 68 having one end 69 looped over a pushed-out portion 70 of the supporting structure 66 or 67 while the other end 71 of the spring 68 is looped around the frame member 11. In this manner, the electromagnetic device 10 is suspended between the support means 66 and 67 by the tension springs 68 whereby the vibratory motor energy of the electromagnetic device 10 is dampened by the coils of the spring suspension 68, the springs 68 being a low cost'method for supporting the electromagnetic device 10. Further, it has been found that when the device 10 is suspended in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the same provides a supporting structure for the device 10 in the appliance or the like so that the appliance can be readily shipped as the springs 68 will absorb shipping shock forces without requiring the use of special shipping securement fasteners for the electromagnetic device 10.

In addition, the suspension springs 68 provide a noncombustible support for the electromagnetic device and will not disintegrate and allow the electrical connections to the motor to come in contact with grounded metal parts of the appliance or the like.

Further, the tension springs 68 of this invention provide a self-adjusting method of support for the electromagnetic device 10 and do not require the use of fasteners for mounting the electromagnetic device 10 to the appliance or point of application thereof.

Another feature of this invention is an improved means for securing the coil bobbin 18 on the end 16 on the frame member 11 and reference is made to FIGURES 5 and 6 wherein it can be seen that the bobbin 18 has a bore 72 passing therethrough, the bore 17 being substantially rectangular in cross-sectional configuration and conform ing to the cross-sectional configuration of the end 16 of the motor frame 11.

However, the bobbin 18 has an inwardly depressed portion 73 which defines an inwardly directed deformable rib which will fictionally hold the bobbin 18 on the end 16 of the frame member 11 when the end 16 is telescoped into the bore 72 of the bobbin 18 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7. In order to facilitate the telescoping of the bobbin 18 on the end 16 on the frame member 11, a beveled notch 74 is provided at the end portion 75 of the end 16 of the frame member 11 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4.

In order to permanently secure the bobbin 18 in its telescoped relation on the end 16 on the frame member 11, an epoxy resin or other adhesive mechanical interlock is provided between the bobbin 18 and the frame member 11.

In particular, the bobbin 18 has annular recess 76 provided in the end 77 thereof in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 6.

The end 16 of the motor frame 11 has the four corners thereof provided with notches 78 which will register with the annular recess 76 in the bobbin 18 when the bobbin 18 is fully telescoped on the end 16 of the frame member 11.

Thus, it can be seen that when the bobbin 18 is fully telescoped on the end 16 of the motor frame 11, the epoxy resin 79 or the like can be disposed in the annular recess 76 through the open end 80 of the bobbin 18 so as to provide a mechanical interlock with the recess 76 and notches 78 when the resin hardens so as to permanently fasten the bobbin 18 to the motor frame 11.

If desired, the other end 81 of the bobbin 18 could be slightly reduced so as to provide a seal at the end 81 of the bobbin 18 to prevent leakage of the resin 79 therefrom before the resin 79 has set.

Thus, it can be seen that the interconnection between the bobbin 18 and the motor frame 11 does not rely on adhesive bond between the bobbin 1 8 and the motor frame 16 as the set resin provides the mechanical interlock therebetween to permanently fasten the bobbin 18 to the frame 11.

In addition, it can be seen that the deformable rib 76 6 on the bobbin 18 provides .an interference fit between the bobbin 18 and the frame 11 to temporarily hold the bobbin 18 in place thereon until the resin 79 sets.

Accordingly, it can be seen that not only does this invention provide an improved electromagnetic device and parts therefor, but also this invention provides an improved method of operating, making, and suspending such a device or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, an electromagnetic motor having a core, an armature for moving relative to said core in an arcuate path, means driven by movement of said armature, support means supporting said motor, said armature and said driven means, an adjusting member carried by said armature, and a coiled tension spring having one end secured to said driven means and having the other end secured to said adjusting member so that said armature can move in its arcuate path while said driven means moves in a substantially rectilinear path.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adjusting member has a groove therein receiving a coil of said spring to secure said spring to said armature.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driven means has a projection provided with a groove receiving a coil of said spring to secure said spring to said driven means.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driven means includes a fluid pump having a fixed housing and a movable housing interconnected together by a flexible diaphragm and wherein a retainer is staked to said movable housing and is interconnected to said spring.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein a porous mufiier is stacked against said retainer by said spring.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein another retainer is disposed between said spring and said first-named retainer to hold said mufiier between said retainers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,028,985 1/1936 Mahon 230-273 X 2,343,237 .3/1944 McElroy et al. 310-29 X 2,480,451 8/1949 De La Torre 310-29 X 2,634,906 4/1953 Heiman 248-18 X 2,801,591 8/1957 Parker 10.3-53 X 2,899,124 8/1959 Chausson 310-36 X 3,075,471 1/1963 Miller 103-53 X 3,155,853 11/1964 Spurlin et a1 310-218 X 3,205,386 9/1965 Henschke et al. 310-218 X 3,212,446 10/1965 Golden et al 103-53 MILTON O. HIRSHFIELD, Primary Examiner. D. F. DUGGAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, AN ELECTROMAGNETIC MOTOR HAVING A CORE, AN ARMATURE FOR MOVING RELATIVE TO SAID CORE IN AN ARCUATE PATH, MEANS DRIVEN BY MOVEMENT OF SAID ARMATURE, SUPPORT MEANS SUPPORTING SAID MOTOR, SAID ARMATURE AND SAID DRIVEN MEANS, AN ADJUSTING MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID ARMATURE, AND A COILED TENSION SPRING HAVING ONE END SECURED TO SAID DRIVEN MEANS AND HAVING THE OTHER END SECURED TO SAID DRIVEN MEANS AND HAVING SAID ARMATURE CAN MOVE IN ITS ARCUATE PATH WHILE SAID DRIVEN MEANS MOVES IN A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTILINEAR PATH.
 4. A COMBINATION AS SET FORTH IN CLAIM 1 WHEREIN SAID DRIVEN MEANS INCLUDES A FLUID PUMP HAVING A FIXED HOUSING 